Fabric vs Forge vs NeoForge (and Quilt)
Updated · MCJarHub
The mods decide. Mods are built for one loader, so run the loader your mods or modpack require. Without that constraint: Fabric for lightweight and performance mods and quick updates, NeoForge for large content modpacks on 1.20.2 and newer, Forge for classic modpacks such as 1.12.2 and 1.20.1.
At a glance (live data)
| Software | Latest release | Java | File size | Versions on MCJarHub | Download source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 26.3 | Java 25 | — | 70 (1.14_combat-0–26.3) | Official (FabricMC) |
| NeoForge | 26.3 | Java 25 | 3.5 MB | 22 (1.20.2–26.3) | Official (NeoForged) |
| Forge | 26.3 | Java 25 | 7.6 MB | 61 (1.5.2–26.3) | Official (MinecraftForge) |
| Quilt | 26.3 | Java 25 | 8.3 MB | 44 (1.14.4–26.3) | Official (QuiltMC) |
"File size" is the download itself: Fabric's is a small launcher and Forge/NeoForge/Quilt ship an installer; each downloads the Minecraft server and libraries during setup.
Which loader supports which Minecraft version?
A ✓ links to that loader's build for the version on MCJarHub; the cell shows the loader or Forge/NeoForge version it uses.
| Minecraft | Java | Fabric | NeoForge | Forge | Quilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7.10 | 8 | — | — | ✓ 10.13.4.1614 | — |
| 1.12.2 | 8 | — | — | ✓ 14.23.5.2859 | — |
| 1.16.5 | 8 | ✓ 0.20.1 | — | ✓ 36.2.34 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.18.2 | 17 | ✓ 0.20.1 | — | ✓ 40.3.0 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.19.2 | 17 | ✓ 0.20.1 | — | ✓ 43.5.0 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.20.1 | 17 | ✓ 0.20.1 | — | ✓ 47.4.28 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.20.4 | 17 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 20.4.253 | ✓ 49.2.13 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.21.1 | 21 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 21.1.265 | ✓ 52.1.20 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 1.21.11 | 21 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 21.11.48 | ✓ 61.2.4 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 26.1 | 25 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 26.1.0.19-beta | ✓ 62.0.9 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 26.1.1 | 25 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 26.1.1.15-beta | ✓ 63.0.2 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 26.1.2 | 25 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 26.1.2.124 | ✓ 64.1.5 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 26.2 | 25 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 26.2.0.93 | ✓ 65.1.5 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
| 26.3 | 25 | ✓ 0.20.1 | ✓ 26.3.0.99 | ✓ 66.1.0 | ✓ 0.30.1 |
How each server is installed
| Loader | What you download | Setup | Start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Official server launcher from Fabric's meta service | None — the launcher downloads the vanilla server on first start | java -jar fabric-server-mc.…-launcher.….jar nogui |
| NeoForge | Official installer from NeoForged's maven | java -jar neoforge-…-installer.jar --installServer | run.sh / run.bat, memory in user_jvm_args.txt |
| Forge | Official installer from Forge's maven | java -jar forge-…-installer.jar --installServer | 1.17+: run.sh / run.bat; older: the forge jar the installer creates |
| Quilt | Official Quilt installer | java -jar quilt-installer….jar install server <version> --download-server --create-scripts | The generated start script |
Each version page has the exact file names and commands for that version.
The differences that matter for a server
Fabric
A small, modular loader. Most Fabric mods also need the Fabric API mod in mods/ (every Fabric version page shows the matching Fabric API release). Fabric typically supports new Minecraft versions and even snapshots very quickly, and it has a strong ecosystem of server-side performance and utility mods that players don't need to install.
NeoForge
The community continuation of Forge, started in 2023 by most of the Forge team. From Minecraft 1.20.2 onward many large content mods and modpacks moved to NeoForge, so for current modpacks it is often the loader you will need. Its version numbers encode the Minecraft version (21.1.x = Minecraft 1.21.1; from 26.x it uses Mojang's numbers).
Forge
The original mod loader with the largest library for classic versions such as 1.7.10, 1.12.2, 1.16.5 and 1.20.1 — the versions many long-running modpacks still use. MCJarHub links Forge's recommended build per version where Forge marks one.
Quilt
A community-governed fork of Fabric that loads most Fabric mods. Use it when your mods require it; most modpacks target Fabric, NeoForge or Forge.
How to choose
- You picked a modpack? Use the loader and exact version the modpack states. Mixing loaders is not possible.
- You want vanilla gameplay with server-side improvements (performance, backups, admin tools) and no client mods? Fabric.
- You want big content mods on a current version? Check where those mods are published; on 1.20.2+ that is usually NeoForge, sometimes Fabric.
- You need an older classic modpack (1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.20.1)? Usually Forge.
- You also want Bukkit plugins? Only a hybrid can do both — see hybrid servers.
Mod loaders need more memory than plugin servers; plan 6–10 GB for a typical modpack. And make sure the right Java is installed: Minecraft → Java version table.